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| Max Scherzer threw 6 solid innings in a 5-1 victory over the Rockies |
After a blowout loss last night after Cody Ponce left the game with an injury and the bullpen imploded, the Blue Jays were looking to even the series and avoid their 1st series loss of the season. Ponce was placed on the 15-day IL with a right ACL sprain. Righty Lazaro Estrada was recalled from AAA-ball. Max Scherzer got the start with Tyler Heineman behind the plate. Jesus Sanchez was in LF and Nathan Lukes was in RF. Could the Blue Jays even the series and avoid their 1st series loss of the season? Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- Ryan Feltner pitching line: 3IP 1H 0R 1BB 4K 47 pitches (30 for strikes)
- The Blue jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 5th as Jesus Sanchez singled scoring Daulton Varsho
- A batter later? Tyler Heineman was forced in on a bases loaded walk to Vladimir Guerrero Jr
- The Rockies got one back in the top of the 6th as Hunter Goodman hammered s solo bomb to the second deck in left-center
- Max Scherzer pitching line: 6IP 4H 1R (earned) 1BB 4K 83 pitches (56 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 7th as Kazuma Okamoto singled scoring Myles Straw
- A batter later, Nathan Lukes singled scoring Guerrero Jr. Okamoto was thrown out at 3B on the play
- A batter after that, Ernie Clement doubled home Lukes
- Final score: Blue Jays 5 Rockies 1
My Take:
- Max Scherzer gave the Blue Jays what they needed: 6 solid innings, giving up a run on 4 hits while walking 1 and striking out 4. The wiley veteran retired the first four batters he faced and was able to make pitches when he had to to get out of jams. Scherzer will certainly be in the rotation at least a few more turns after the injury to Ponce and the other injured starters at least a couple of weeks away from returning. There's also concern with the health of Scherzer, who battled a thumb issue last season. He's still capable of being a solid starter when he's healthy.
- The bulpen did its job, limiting the Rockies to 3 hits while walking none and striking out 2 over the last 3 innings. Nice to see Jeff Hoffman looking sharp despite the non-save situation.
- The bats came up clutch in the 5th and 7th innings, rallying for 5 runs on 8 hits and a walk. Vlad drove in a run and scored once. Nathan Lukes also drove in a run and scored a run
- Every Blue Jays starter had a hit and all but George Springer and Andres Gimenez either scored or drove in a run.
- That was a great response to getting blown out by the worst team in baseball last year
- The Blue Jays were 3-10 with runners in scoring position
- Up next, the Blue Jays try to extend the win streak to 2 games and notch their 2nd series win of the season. Ace Kevin Gausman starts against Rockies lefty Kyle Freeland
